Some grandparents in Mesa still remember when a malt came in a tall glass with the extra in a metal cup on the side. The good news is that kind of treat has not disappeared from Arizona.
A handful of old-school soda fountains and retro parlors are still blending malts, floats, and sundaes the classic way. This list covers five of them, from a quick drive near Mesa to a couple of Route 66 stops that make a fun weekend trip with the grandkids.
1. MacAlpine’s Diner & Soda Fountain, Phoenix, AZ
Few places in the Valley can claim a soda fountain dating back to the late 1920s. MacAlpine’s, on 7th Street in Phoenix, still uses that circa-1928 setup, with wooden booths and vintage decor all around.
The menu of ice cream sodas, shakes, and malts is huge, and the flavor list runs long enough to slow down any indecisive grandkid. Egg creams, root beer floats, banana splits, and a Clown Sundae round out the sweet side.
Hungry for real food first? Retro sandwiches, hot and cold, share the menu with cheeseburgers and pastrami.
There is a kids’ menu and high chairs too.
The family-run spot sits inside a vintage store, so browsing is part of the fun. Hours are mostly lunch-focused, 11 AM to 3 PM most days, with later hours until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reservations are not accepted, and free parking is usually easy to find.
2. Sugar Bowl, Scottsdale, AZ
Pink walls, whimsical menus, and a game room in the back. Sugar Bowl has been scooping in Old Town Scottsdale since 1958, which makes it a spot many grandparents knew long before the grandkids came along.
The old fashioned soda fountain counter is the backdrop for shakes, malts, and floats. Sundaes get serious attention here, including the Rocky Mountain Sundae and a classic hot fudge.
I like this stop for its staying power. Lunch options such as a patty melt and a club sandwich mean the visit can start with something savory.
Late hours help too. It is open until 10 PM most nights and 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, though weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
3. Oldie’s Ice Cream, Gold Canyon, AZ
From Mesa, this is the shortest road trip on the list. Oldie’s sits on Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon, and the whole parlor leans into a 1950s and 60s look.
The malts are the reason to go. The vanilla malt is known for actually tasting like malt, which is not always a given.
Scoops are generous, and classic shakes fill out the menu. Hot dogs make a simple add-on for kids who want lunch before dessert.
It is a counter-style quick visit, open daily from noon to 9 PM. Sunday afternoons get busy, so a weekday stop is calmer.
4. Mr D’z Route 66 Diner & Gift Shop, Kingman, AZ
Homemade root beer is the headliner in Kingman. Mr D’z pours it on its own or in a float, and the menu lists shakes or malts for anyone sticking with tradition.
The diner sits right on Route 66, near a train display and a Route 66 sign. Inside, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe watch from the walls.
Portions run big, with burgers, a patty melt, and the Harley Hot Dog with fries. Breakfast starts at 7 AM, and the doors stay open until 9 PM daily.
Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs. Reservations are accepted, and the gift shop makes a good place for grandkids to pick a souvenir.
5. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, Seligman, AZ
Expect to laugh before you order. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap has served Route 66 travelers since 1953, and its kitschy Americana decor is half the attraction.
The classic menu covers burgers, malts, and shakes, plus floats and snow cones. Chili cheese dogs and a banana split are popular picks.
Ordering happens at the walk-up counter, and outdoor seating works well on nice days. High chairs are available.
Plan for daytime. It opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM Monday through Saturday, 5 PM on Sunday.
Pair it with a Route 66 drive, and the grandkids get a malt plus a little history lesson.
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